"You tell me," said Denny. "There's a website that scares the hell out of you. FEMA is running concentration camps, it looks like to me."

I hesitate to quote Denny because I don't want to stereotype gun owners as paranoid rednecks. Or play into their stereotypes of the media as elitist gun-haters.

But, what can I say? You ask a man for his opinion, you get it.

"I'm more worried about an 8.0" earthquake, Denny continued. "My big worry is that Hayward (Fault) is going to let go. People will hurt you and steal from you for that can of beans."

Later that day I Googled FEMA discussion websites.

Some Americans believe FEMA, using federal aid as a pretext, is positioning itself to round up law-abiding citizens into detention camps.

"The round-up is already happening on the Jersey coast," one contributor warned darkly. "There are Navy ships lingering off shore, amphibious ships I've heard. It seems to me they are clearing the way for some sort of landing just south and north of NY."

Anyway (moving right along), next I went over to Outdoor Sportsman and spoke to manager Bob Ford. Ford was also having trouble meeting demand.

"I got guys from the gun clubs calling me right now, 'Hey, Bob, you got any ammo?' I tell 'em we barely have enough for ourselves."

Ford offered more plausible theories for the demand and the shortage than a FEMA conspiracy: fear of crime; concern over imminent government restrictions; increasing popularity of guns for recreation.

"Crime's up, gun sales are up," Ford said.

He also theorized gun manufacturers prefer shipping product to states that, unlike California, still allow sales of high-end (hence more profitable) guns.

As for the politics, "The people nationwide are worried what the feds are going to do, and the people of California are worried what California is going to do."

Ford believes the shortage will continue for months.

Nationwide, the National Rifle Association takes some of the credit for increased sales. Its success in liberalizing gun laws has broadened the market.

"All of this pro-gun legislation has not only added to freedom, personal protection and a great deal of fun at ranges across America, but it has also, quite likely, helped increase the number of gun owners and, hence, firearm sales," the NRA website says.

If Stockotnians are arming themselves more than ever, is that a good thing or a bad thing?

The Stockton Police Department said this:

"Citizens do have the right to purchase firearms - as long as they're purchased legally," said spokesman Joe Silva.

Do more guns mean more gun violence? "We are unaware of any direct correlations of legally purchased firearms and the increase in gun violence," Silva said.

The guns causing most of the mayhem are stolen in burglaries, Silva said. Or brought into the state illegally.

Finally, I called the NRA. But I got only a recording: "We're currently experiencing an extremely high call volume due to the recent attacks on our Second Amendment rights."